Shortage of student housing in Timmins prompts Northern College to ask for help
As colleges and universities prepare to welcome students in September, the pressure is on when it comes to the housing supply.
In Timmins, Northern College officials are reaching out to the community for help.
Many foreign students at Northern College are from India and living alone in residence is not how they want to live.
“They want community based living. Residence is temporary as they find accommodations that are more communal," said Audrey Penner, president of Northern College.
"There’s a lot of pressure around this issue and it’s very much on the minds of all of us in the college system to assure that students not only come and get an education but really have a high quality experience in doing so."
Penner said the Timmins campus residence at this point is only two-thirds occupied, but foreign students usually see that option as an interim measure.
“They’re going out and trying to find rooms or apartments in the community and sometimes they get too many in these apartments and it’s really against fire regulations so they’re having difficulty finding a place," said John Curley, councillor.
The college hopes to connect with landlords or homeowners who want to provide space or rental units.
"If they want to email housing@northern.on.ca that’s one of the things our staff is looking for, to make contact and say how can work together,” Curley said.
Nipissing University and Canadore College are in a similar situation, except their need for housing is more for domestic students.
“We sent out communications to landlords who are registered with the Near North Landlords Association to remind them of the services that are available," said Casey Phillips, assistant vice-president at Nipissing University.
"We’re also holding educational awareness sessions for individuals who maybe never rented in the past."
Curley added that some housing projects are in the works in Timmins, but said it's too early to reveal any details.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.